R.Mikesh, A.Shorzoe Japanese Aircraft, 1910-1941 (Putnam)

Nakajima Type 3 Biplane

With the failure of the Type 1, design of the Type 3 was approached in a more practical way to gain experience in aircraft design, using the proven design of the wings and tail of the Yokosho Ro-go Ko-gata Reconnaissance Seaplane with which Lieut Nakajima had been closely involved just before leaving the Navy. As a tractor-type it was a successful aeroplane and was used extensively as a proficiency trainer. The fuselage of the Type 3 was the same as that of the Type 1-4 with only minor changes. The new aeroplane, powered by the second of the two 125hp Hall-Scott engines released by the Army, was completed in December 1918. This time, careful attention was given to calculation and adjustment of the centre of gravity. It had a very light wing loading, and in calm air was quite stable. In the hands of Katota Mizuta, a pilot hired by Nakajima to test fly the Type 3, this became Nakajima's first successful aeroplane. Mizuta was formerly an Army Lt and a pilot instructor at Tokorozawa. He established the Mizuta FIying School, which was sponsored by Nakajima, and then used this Type 3 aeroplane as the school's trainer. It was also used in a number of celebrations by giving flying demonstrations. As part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Metropolitan Tokyo, demonstrations were made from Susaki Airfield in Tokyo by Yozo Sato, who by now had recovered from his injuries in the crash of the Type 1-4. In March 1921 a rope ladder was attached to the aeroplane for aerial demonstrations at the 50th Anniversary of Kobe Port when it was flown by Mizuta with student pilot Toshio Hino in the rear seat. The next month, over Takasaki City in Gumma Prefecture flying demonstrations were given by Gyozo Imaizumi, further proving the qualities of this successful aeroplane which led the way to later successful Nakajima aeroplanes. However, its demise came when, making a landing on the Notsuke Army Parade Grounds in Takasaki City, a man ran from the crowd in front of the aeroplane. In avoiding him a wheel and strut were broken causing the aeroplane to nose-over with resultant extensive damage to the port wing.